What are smishing scams?

Smishing scams are fraudulent text messages that impersonate legitimate organizations, like banks, to steal personal and financial information.

How can I report a suspicious text message?

You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) and filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

What should I do if I clicked on a suspicious link in a text message?

If you clicked on a suspicious link, contact your bank immediately, monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity, and consider changing your passwords.

How to Block Fake Bank Alert Texts on Your Personal Phone

Receiving fake bank alert texts, known as smishing, is a growing concern in the United States. These deceptive messages aim to steal your personal and financial information. Understanding how to identify and block these texts is crucial for safeguarding your data.

What Are Fake Bank Alert Texts?

Fake bank alert texts are fraudulent messages that impersonate your bank, often claiming suspicious activity or urgent account issues to prompt immediate action. They typically include links or phone numbers designed to steal your information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that consumers lost over $330 million to such scams in 2022. (apnews.com)

How to Identify Fake Bank Alert Texts

Recognizing smishing attempts is the first step in protection. Look for these signs:

Suspicious Links: Legitimate banks will never ask you to click on a link to verify your information. Always verify through official channels. (mcafee.com)
Urgent Language: Messages that create a sense of urgency, such as "Immediate action required" or "Account suspended," are often fraudulent. (scamdefender.ai)
Generic Greetings: Banks typically address you by your name. Messages that say "Dear Customer" or "Dear Valued Customer" are suspicious. (aura.com)
Grammatical Errors: Poor grammar or spelling mistakes are common in scam messages. (aura.com)

Steps to Block Fake Bank Alert Texts

To protect yourself from smishing, consider the following steps:

Enable Built-in Spam Filters:

iPhone: Go to Settings > Messages and turn on "Filter Unknown Senders." (mcafee.com)
Android: Open the Messages app, tap the three-dot menu, select "Settings," then "Spam protection," and enable "Enable spam protection." (mcafee.com)

Use Carrier Services:

Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your carrier. This helps in blocking the sender and preventing future messages. (mcafee.com)

Block Unwanted Numbers:

iPhone: Open the message, tap the sender's number, then tap "Info" and select "Block this Caller." (usa.kaspersky.com)
Android: Open the message, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block." (usa.kaspersky.com)

Report Suspicious Messages:

Report scam texts to the FTC through their website. This helps authorities track and combat such scams. (consumer.ftc.gov)

Additional Tips for Protecting Yourself

Verify Through Official Channels: If you receive a suspicious message, contact your bank directly using the contact information on their official website or your bank statements. (mcafee.com)
Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about common scam tactics and share this knowledge with friends and family to help protect them as well.

By staying vigilant and implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to fake bank alert texts.

Highlights:

How to avoid the No. 1 text message scam putting your money at risk, Published on Thursday, August 24
Text Messages Can Be One of the Best Ways for Scammers To Take Your Data - Here's How To Spot a Fake and How To Protect Yourself, Published on Tuesday, August 26
Authorities Issue Warnings Over Multistate DMV Scam Texts. Here's What to Look Out For, Published on Sunday, June 01